Chapter 20 cont. ST. ANTHONY'S The beginning of St Anthony's is coincident with that of Davenport.  Its site is an interesting landmark in the history of this locality.  Its location is designated in the old original city plat as the "church square."  The first brick manufactured in Davenport was used in its construction, and that old brick edifice still stands and is now used as a school building.  The congregation of St. Anthony's was founded by S. Mazzuchelli, dedicated by Bishop Loras and developed under Father Pelamourgues.  Through the enterprise of the Very Rev. Samuel Mazzuchilli of Dubuque, who had for a number of years paid frequent visits to Davenport and Stephenson, now Rock Island, the original church was built, and the congregation first established.  Ground was broken for the church on April 27, 1838.  At this time Henry Cosgrove, later such an important factor in the development of the church in this diocese, and its second bishop, was then but a child of four years of age, living with his parents at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1839 the church was dedicated by Mathias Loras, the first bishop of the diocese of Dubuque, and in response to the petition of the new congregation for a pastor he sent to them in August J. A. M. Pelamourgues, one of the band of clerics whose zeal Bishop Loras had won for the west while in France the year before. St. Anthony's at once began to flourish and the people of the congregation and of Davenport as well were prosperous.  Father Pelamourgues never failed his people in any hardships that were to be endured and stoood by them in their every trial.  It was under his personal guidance that the first school was established ever built in Davenport, and in 1853 he commenced the building of the present stone church.  When Father Pelamourgues came to Davenport there were no public schools established.  A simple, self-denying man, he himself devoted his time to teaching the children of his congregation and opened a school in the old brick church built by Father Mazzuchelli, which building still stands on the church lot.  This building answered for church, school and pastoral residence.  Father Pelamourgues' apartments were partitioned off by rough boards in a corner of the gallery.  The choir was composed at one time of Antoine LeClaire, Judge Mitchell, Joseph Motie, Joseph Clark, Miss Rosa Clark, Mrs. Lou  Hebert and Mary Finch, who were rehearsed in their singing by the noted divine.  There being no organ, the accompanying music was composed of a violin, clarionet, flute and cello, which made up a very acceptable orchestra.  The school was taught by Father Pelamourgues under a gallery in the body of the church.  The space taken up by the children was separated from the sanctuary by a curtain.  Judge John F. Dillon was a pupil of this school under Father Pelamourgues. The present stone church, the building of which was started by Father Pelamourgues, was continued in its construction by Rev. G, H. Planthe, who was appointed to succeed Father Pelamourgues when the latter was called to France.  But in July, 1853, Father Pelamourgues returned and completed the building at the close of the year. This priest was very effective in gaining means and teachers for his school.  In 1846, under his irresistible persuasion, he induced the Sisters of Charity of Dubuque to establish the Sisters' Parochial school in Davenport and opened the Academy of the Immaculate Conception which has since reached high fame as an institution for young ladies. While ministering to the immediate needs of his own congregation Father Pelamourgues attended other places as out-missions, particularly Muscatine, Iowa City, Burlington, Columbus Junction, DeWitt and Lyons. In 1850, as a reward for his zeal and great labors for the church, he was offered the dignity of the bishopric of St. Paul, tendered him by Pope Pius IX, which he declined.  It was while he was visiting his native place, Rodez, France, in 1868, that he was prevented by untoward circumstances, over which he had no control, from returning, and died there in 1875.  At the time of his departure from Davenport, Rev. Maurice Flavin was appointed to succeed him May 10, 1868.  Rev. Flavin remained until 1872 and was followed by Rev. P. A. McCabe, who had attended the church from September, 1853, until January, 1854, during a visit of Father Pelamourgues to France.  He had celebrated the first mass in the stone church on Christmas, 1853.  Father McCabe remained at St. Anthony's until 1876, when he was transferred to St. Mary's church. Rev. Thomas O'Reilly, now of Keokuk, was pastor of St. Anthony's from January to April, 1876, and the short interval, from April 25th to December 29th, made up the pastorate of Father J. J. Swift at the old church.  Early in 1877 Rev. L. Roche, now of Cascade, became pastor of St. Anthony's and under his administration the parochial residence was built.  He remained until August, 1880, when he was succeeded by Father P. J. Burke, who closed his pastorate there in March, 1882, when the present pastor, Rev. D. J. Flannery, took charge of the parish under the direction and appointment of Bishop McMullen. Father Flannery was ordained to the priesthood December 22, 1872.  He laid out the Mason City parish or territory which was then sparsely settled, and made of it a successful and flourishing mission, with several parishes.  He also labored in the same capacity in Clinton and Washington, and came to St. Anthony's ripe in wisdom and experience.  He has increased the size of the old stone church to meet the growing needs of his congregation.  At the present time the congregation numbers about 175 families, and the school is in a very flourishing condition.  It numbers about 125 pupils, is a free institution and is conducted by the Sisters of Charity. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L